Douluo Continent: The Eternal Order of the Azure Sky.

The layers of energy intertwined, forming a subtle enveloping circle that enveloped the entire hall.

Linked Soul Guidance System! This powerful weapon, capable of unleashing offensive and defensive power at the level of a Limit Douluo, was actually obtained by a well-organized private army of Soul Guidance Corps that he had recruited from who-knows-where.

The old man who had been following behind the Third Prince snorted coldly. He had completely taken control of the linked soul tool, and a powerful soul force pressure immediately spread out.

"Hmph, you won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences."

His gaze swept over Kong Tianxu and the others, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"This is the era of Soul Masters. What do you think you're doing with so few people?"

Only then did Jing Hongchen, who had been looking dejected, raise her head and glance at the old man in surprise.

He was actually a level nine Soul Master? But he had never seen this person before.

Just then, a muffled rumbling sound came from outside the hall. The sound grew louder and louder as it approached, like the footsteps of a giant beast.

The Third Prince's delaying tactics finally paid off.

The Imperial Palace Array has been activated!

A confident smile finally appeared on the Third Prince's face.

He stepped forward again, this time with a more composed demeanor. That feigned earnestness returned to his face.

"Tianxu, I cherish talent above all else. You and your grandfather, Elder Kong, are both exceptional individuals. And you, Master Hongchen, are a titan in the world of Soul Masters. If you are willing to join my ranks, I guarantee that your wealth and honor will only increase compared to before!"

He paused, gestured briefly at the silent Xu Guozhong, then pointed outside the hall, his voice suddenly rising:

"The palace is now impregnable! Uncle Guozhong has activated the high-energy compression array defense, and even level nine fixed-position soul-guided cannons cannot penetrate it! There is a linked soul-guided system inside, which can arbitrarily decide the life and death of those inside! Don't bother with futile struggles!"

Jing Hongchen sneered, his gaze passing over the Third Prince and landing on Prince Xu Guozhong, who was also a ninth-level Soul Master, behind him.

"You think you can contend with Master Kong with just your abilities," his voice was full of sarcasm, "plus some self-taught level nine soul master you found out of nowhere?"

"Keep dreaming."

Kong Tianxu remained silent, behaving out of place; or rather, his solemnity with Xu Tianzhen at that moment was the norm.

He continued walking forward, leading Xu Tianzhen, and they were about to reach Xu Guoyi's body.

Space distorted for a moment.

Long Xiaoyao's figure slowly emerged from the void. He stood at the palace gate, hands behind his back, like an insurmountable mountain. His deep eyes swept over everyone, devoid of any emotion, yet they sent a chill down everyone's spine.

Limit Douluo!

Xu Guozhong's expression changed slightly.

The other level-nine soul master's eyes narrowed. He was actually quite talented, having been secretly trained by a vassal king during the reign of Xu Guozhi, the father of He Caitou, and ultimately protected by Xu Guozhong after Xu Guoyi's usurpation and purge.

He had always stayed away from the Mingdu circle and had only recently broken through to the ninth level of Soul Master, so he didn't know much about the situation in Mingdu.

Moreover, under the secret patronage of the royal family faction represented by the Third Prince, his strength and accumulated experience far surpassed those of ordinary Soul Masters.

It's important to know that a Soul Master's strength depends not only on their understanding and application of Soul Tools, but also, and most importantly, on the number of Soul Tools they possess.

Even a level nine soul master usually only has one or two level nine soul tools. Each additional tool greatly increases their strength.

This is why the position of Mingde Hall Master is so coveted. For example, Jing Hongchen, although young, benefits from his position, and his strength is definitely among the top five of all the ninth-level soul masters.

If these are the only people...

The Third Prince gritted his teeth and quickly activated the linked soul guidance system, preparing to strike first!

Suddenly, a light seemed to flash in the sky.

One by one, figures descended from the night sky.

Royal Soul Guidance Corps! Snow Demon Soul Guidance Corps! Imperial Dragon Soul Guidance Corps! Terror Claw Soul Guidance Corps! Fire Phoenix Soul Guidance Corps! Evil Monarch Soul Guidance Corps!

The six guardians of the nation, the Soul Guidance Corps, have all taken their positions.

Kong Deming hovered at the very front, standing with his hands behind his back, and the silver moonlight behind him condensed into a huge bright moon.

Jing Hongchen knew that this was her last chance.

He gritted his teeth, leaped up, and joined the ranks of the six guardians of the nation.

"How could this be? Why didn't the high-energy compression array stop you?" the Third Prince roared in disbelief.

"Xu Guozhong told you the location of the key to the high-energy compression array, but he didn't tell you that the key's access is below your grandfather's?"

Kong Tianxu smiled and looked at them.

"Now, are we enough people?"

The ninth-level Soul Master's face turned ashen.

Even if he were incredibly arrogant, he wouldn't dare to fight against ten, or even dozens, of people!

In despair, Xu Guozhong suddenly turned around!

He raised both palms and slammed them down on the ninth-level Soul Master and the Third Prince beside him.

"you--!"

"boom--!"

The Third Prince died instantly. The Level 9 Soul Master was caught off guard and struck in the back by the palm. His protective soul tool was automatically activated, but under such a close-range sneak attack, he still suffered considerable damage, spitting out blood and retreating repeatedly.

Having landed a successful blow, Xu Guozhong immediately knelt down and shouted:

"The ringleader is dead! The old man and the rest of us are willing to be demoted from Mingdu and never return! We beg Your Excellency for mercy!"

After he finished speaking, he looked at Kong Tianxu nervously, his eyes full of pleading.

Kong Tianxu looked at him and slowly shook his head.

"I never intended to punish you."

Xu Guozhong's eyes lit up, and he was about to express his gratitude—

"Squeak-"

The palace doors suddenly closed.

The heavy sound echoed in the empty hall.

A shadow fell upon everyone, and upon their hearts.

Xu Tianzhen sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Xu Guoyi's pale and thin face, and silently mourned in her heart.

Behind them, lines of blood silently appeared on the necks of the princes, nobles, and other high-ranking officials.

In that instant, they seemed to see a dark golden shadow moving about.

A series of blood-red waterfalls gushed outwards!

Under the crimson light, Cain's figure became visible.

"I just never want to see you again."

Kong Tianxu reached out and gently shook hands.

The protective soul tool of that level nine soul master suddenly exploded!

The king's sacrifices must be mourned with blood.

The clearing operation is still ongoing.

……

Mingdu, western suburbs.

The distant mountains are approaching.

Xuanzi, with Huo Yuhao, finally reunited with the Shrek Academy members.

Only then did the other elders realize that the massive explosion that shocked the entire city was actually caused by Huo Yuhao.

Xuanzi watched with a grim face as Huo Yuhao wept over He Caitou's corpse. His young face was filled with grief and self-reproach, tears mingling with dust, covering his already swollen face.

One of the main reasons he questioned Huo Yuhao about the explosion in Mingdu was that his confidence in Huo Yuhao had wavered because of the evil soul master techniques Huo Yuhao had displayed.

He originally intended to ask Huo Yuhao about his previous use of evil soul master techniques.

but now……

He looked at He Caitou's corpse.

That once robust body was now cold and stiff, his eyes still open, staring at the night sky as if questioning something.

Xuanzi sighed.

Gradually, Huo Yuhao stopped crying. Bei Bei led him to Xuan Zi and solemnly said:

“Elder Xuan, I am aware of this matter. Although they are enemies, the civilians are innocent. We take responsibility for this.”

He raised his head and looked directly at Xuanzi:

"From Shrek Academy's perspective, all I can say is that if anyone brings this up again in the future, Tang Sect will take full responsibility and will never affect the academy's reputation."

Xuanzi and Huo Yuhao, whose eyes were equally complicated, exchanged a glance and shook their heads self-deprecatingly.

Both he and Huo Yuhao were evil soul masters, so what right did he have to talk about Huo Yuhao?

"Let's go, it's getting late," he ordered in a deep voice. "Set off immediately and continue westward."

After a brief moment of shock, the Shrek Academy group finally sprang into action. Carrying He Caitou's corpse, and filled with everyone's grief and despair, they raced off into the distance.

They had no choice but to move forward.

Chapter 324 Tianmeng: Yuhao, do you want this iron rod, or...?

In the main hall of the Ming capital palace, ignoring the limbs flying behind her, Xu Tianzhen gently closed Xu Guoyi's eyes.

The old emperor's eyelids finally closed, and his once majestic face was now only pale and tired, as if he could no longer bear to watch what was happening.

A stream of blood splashed onto the palace gate.

Suddenly a scream rang out, followed by the sound of sharp objects tearing through flesh.

The sound was dense and rapid, like rain pattering on banana leaves, yet it carried a rhythm that was unsettling.

Old Master Tong helped Granny Rong sit down, and the latter beckoned Long Aotian, who was standing there, to come over. She sighed and said: